Trinity Mapendere
Chasing their maiden promotion into the top-flight league in the country, second-placed FC Wangu Mazodze were held to a thrilling 1 – 1 draw by their bitter rivals Masvingo United this past Sunday at Mucheke Stadium in Masvingo.
FC Wangu Mazodze have been in superb form this season, spending most of their games at the top of the ZIFA Eastern Region Soccer League log only to let their lead slip away with only 4 games remaining.
In the Sunday match, the Kingdom Boys as FC Wangu Mazodze is affectionately known, needed to collect maximum points for them to secure promotion into the Premier Soccer League but found their opponents ready for the battle.
Masvingo United also known as Una Una had nothing to lose and everything to play for them to rescue their disappointing season.
Masvingo United started the game brighter than their opponents and had a couple of chances but could not find the back of the net. Mazodze took the lead just 15 minutes after the break, following a controversial handball, which saw the referee awarding a penalty to the home side. Their goalkeeper stepped up and converted the penalty to a score giving them a 1-nil lead.
Una Una continued to be the better side of the two and their hard work paid off when a blunder from Mazodze goalkeeper and scorer saw the ball in the back of the net to make it 1-1 with 10 minutes remaining.
FC Wangu Mazodze spokesperson, Sukhuoluhle Ndlovu bemoaned the golden chance her side had to cement their premier league promotion hopes
“We were unfortunate today and the draw means that we have to win our final game and hope and pray that the other 2 sides, Tenax and Bikita Minerals lose or draw for us to secure the league and promotion into the Premier League.”
Both Masvingo United and FC Wangu Mazodze head to their respective last games of the season, with Una Una at home hosting Manica Diamonds U19 and Mazodze will be on away at Renco Mine in their original home area.
The curtain is closing on what has been a tight race for Premier Soccer League promotion, with the battle of 3 top teams going into the final match of the season.
